MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - U.S. Representative Angie Craig announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, joining an increasingly competitive race for the seat currently held by the retiring Sen. Tina Smith. The race is particularly notable as it may play a significant role in determining which party controls the Senate after the 2026 elections.
In her launch video, the 53-year-old Craig emphasized her commitment to combatting what she described as "chaos" in the current political landscape. She criticized the actions of President Donald Trump and the Republican Party, stating that they are trampling on rights and freedoms for their personal gain.
Craig's entry into the Senate race follows a series of town hall meetings held last week across all four congressional districts represented by Minnesota Republicans, including Majority Whip Tom Emmer. During these meetings, she sought to draw clear distinctions between Democrats and Trump-aligned Republicans in Congress.
Senator Smith's announcement in February not to seek reelection has prompted a rush of candidates from the Democratic Party. Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan was the first to declare her candidacy, actively campaigning statewide and securing endorsements from high-profile figures such as Attorney General Keith Ellison and former U.S. Senator Al Franken. Flanagan reported raising over $450,000 in the first quarter of her campaign.
Additionally, former state senator Melisa López Franzen entered the race in March, making appearances across Minnesota and earning endorsements from numerous local officials and legislators. She has raised more than $260,000 within her first three weeks in the race.
Angie Craig currently holds the strongest financial position among the candidates, having raised over $1.2 million in the first quarter of her House campaign, which can now be channeled into her Senate race. As a former medical device company executive and newspaper reporter, Craig has represented Minnesota's suburban-to-rural 2nd District since the 2018 election, when she defeated Republican Jason Lewis. The district, once considered a swing area, has shifted towards Democratic favor in recent years, with Craig having won reelection in 2024 by a 13-point margin. However, there is potential for the district to become competitive if she vacates the seat.
On the Republican side, candidates actively fundraising for the Senate seat include grassroots candidate Royce White, a former NBA player who faced off against U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar in 2024, and Adam Schwarze, a Marine Corps veteran and former congressional candidate. The dynamics of the race are expected to evolve as these candidates ramp up their campaigns in the coming months.
Given the competitive landscape and significant endorsements already garnered, the Minnesota Senate race is poised to be a key contest in the 2024 election cycle, with implications that could resonate through to the control of the Senate in 2026.
